CVE-2022-2797 in Student Information System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2022
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in SourceCodester Student Information System. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /admin/students/view_student.php. The manipulation of the argument id leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched remotely. The identifier VDB-206245 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2797 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Student Information System, specifically affecting the administrative component of the application. This vulnerability resides in the /admin/students/view_student.php file, which processes user input through the id parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure. The flaw demonstrates a classic sql injection vulnerability where improper input validation allows attackers to inject malicious sql commands through the id argument, potentially compromising the entire database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a weakness where untrusted input is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The remote exploitation capability of this flaw means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to initiate attacks, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the potential for severe impact including data theft, unauthorized database access, and possible system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive student information, modify database records, or potentially escalate privileges within the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as sql injection attacks can enable attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data manipulation, privilege escalation, and in severe cases, complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack vector means that organizations must consider their entire attack surface, including web application firewalls and network segmentation strategies, to protect against exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects educational institutions that rely on student information systems, potentially exposing sensitive personal data including student records, academic performance metrics, and other confidential information. The attack can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making detection and prevention challenging for system administrators who must monitor for unusual database query patterns and unauthorized access attempts.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of the affected application to address the sql injection flaw. Database administrators should enforce proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities. Network security measures including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for sql injection patterns and suspicious database access attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of web applications can help reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, security awareness training for developers regarding secure coding practices and proper input validation techniques should be implemented to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures including penetration testing and code review processes to identify and remediate sql injection vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.